Investigating The Wars of Independence: 1296–1357 The Wars of Independence is one of most exciting and important periods of Scottish history, and is widely studied in Scotland’s schools. Throughout Scotland today are the remains of many historic sites which bore witness to these events. This resource identifies those sites and shows how investigating the surviving historical evidence can inspire learning, help separate fact from fiction and bring the reality of this period to life for both young and old. A statue of Robert the Bruce with Stirling Castle in the background EVENTS 2 The Wars of Independence 1296–1357 The list of sites on page 15 gives a Contents How to use this brief summary of the involvement of P2 each in the Wars of Independence and How to use this resource resource is intended to help you choose a site to visit which best supports your topic. It is P3 This resource is aimed at teachers also intended to raise awareness of Integrating a visit with a and designed to link classroom studies important but lesser-known sites which classroom study based on the Wars of Independence to may be on your own doorstep. Those in P4 the real historic sites where these the care of Historic Environment events took place. Supporting learning Scotland are highlighted. and teaching NB These notes are not intended to be copied and distributed to pupils. P5 How to book a visit Timeline: the Wars of The resource aims to provide: Historic Environment Scotland operates Independence • a clear indication of how visits to a year-round free admission scheme for P6 historic sites can bring to life a educational visits (except Edinburgh Map of major sites of study of the Wars of Independence Castle and Stirling Castle where a conflict in the between • historical background information to charge is levied during May–August 1216 and 1314 the Wars of Independence for the inclusive). To find out how to book a P7-12 non-specialist teacher class visit please visit the Learn section of The Wars of • maps and other information to show historicenvironment.scot Independence: which sites are linked to or call us on 0131 652 8155. historical background the Wars of Independence P13 • information about potential historic Map of Historic Scotland sites to visit and other useful sites linked to the Wars information. of Independence P14 Additional information Bringing the past to life Historic Environment Scotland looks after many sites that saw action in the Wars of Independence or were involved in other ways. Visits to historic places fire the imagination and inspire learning. Pupils can stand on the site of a castle and experience the strategic position it holds. They can see the damage to buildings brought about by siege warfare and gain an understanding of what it might have been like to be trapped and under fire in a castle during the Middle Ages. HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT SCOTLAND The Wars of Independence 1296–1357 3 As they explore the buildings, artefacts, plaques, Integrating a visit with a statues and memorials commemorating battles or events, pupils can compile an evidence record in words classroom study and pictures about the site. The aim of the evidence record should be to encourage development of Educational visits have the greatest value if they are observational, descriptive and recording skills rather built into the original planning of a topic. We than to look for answers to specific questions which recommend you plan your visit somewhere in the they can equally well find out from books in middle, giving your pupils time to become familiarised the classroom or online. with the key characters involved and the events that took place there. The evidence record can ask pupils to use the headings ‘I see’, ‘I hear’, and ‘I feel’ at chosen locations, to look Before the visit for clues to explain what went on at the site, and to look for evidence of changes or damage to buildings. • Visit historicenvironment.scot/learn for more information about your chosen site and any site-specific or Pupils can record by: relevant themed resource material available. Many • taking notes of factual information sites also offer programmes of curriculum-linked on- • making quick diagrams of specific details site activities. • taking photos of significant features or views • If possible, make a free planning visit before taking a class to your chosen site so that you familiarise • using cameras or voice recorders to describe what yourself with the site and the evidence it offers. To they see, hear, feel and smell. book a free planning visit to Edinburgh Castle or Suggestions for follow-up work Stirling Castle call us on 0131 652 8155. Planning visits to other sites can be booked direct with Following the visit your pupils should pool their findings the site. to form a broad view of how the site they have visited featured in the Wars of Independence and what it would • In order to assess the extent of the learning which have been like for those who fought in the battles or takes place, it is a good idea to conduct a were under siege in the castle. Pupils can be asked to benchmarking activity which records pupils’ knowledge look at the clues and work out what they definitely know and understanding of the event and characters on and what they can reasonably guess. which the visit focuses. This can form the basis for a wide range of language • Use the timeline (see page 6) to help pupils gain an and Expressive Arts activities, such as role-play and understanding of at what stage of the Wars of drama, compiling their own guidebook or leaflet, or Independence this event took place, who was involved interviewing local historians/museum curators. These and what the outcome was. activities can: • With pupils, look at maps of the area around the • develop skills and techniques in language and the castle and/or battlefields you are going to visit. expressive arts • Discuss with pupils why they think castles were built in • consolidate and expand knowledge and understanding that location and/or why battles took place in specific locations. about people in the past • help to develop informed attitudes about the ways in • Discuss with pupils what kinds of weapons would have been used and what the fighting would have been like. which our heritage is preserved. Working on site Your pupils’ task should be to look for physical evidence of the site’s involvement in the Wars of Independence. HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT SCOTLAND 4 The Wars of Independence 1296–1357 Supporting learning and teaching Citizenship, conflict and human rights One possible introduction to a topic on the Wars Learning activities that could support these themes of Independence could be to ask pupils: include: • What causes people to fight? (In the school • looking at newspaper reports of modern conflicts to playground? In the street? In the world?) look at the reasons for conflict (for example disputes • Who is involved? (Individuals? Groups of people? over land ownership, governance and natural assets Countries?) or discrimination on ethnic or religious grounds) • • How do people physically express discontent today? researching local evidence of the consequences of (Demonstrations? Rebellions? Guerrilla raids? Civil war? conflicts such as ruined buildings, plaques, statues, commemorative events, changes in local industries International war?) etc. • What kinds of weapons do people use in war today? • using role play to 'try' William Wallace under current • What is the outcome of war? (Peace? Political human rights legilsation independence? Control of one country over another? • completing the Declaration of Arbroath illustrated Continuing unrest?) activity booklet The same questions can then start to be explored in • studying the timeline within this guide and creating a relation to the Wars of Independence, providing a lead human timeline in the classroom through role-play in to: • making a model trebuchet using the guide in the 'make and create' page on historicenvironment.scot/learn • why people fought in the Middle Ages in Scotland • how and where people fought during the Wars of Independence • who was involved in the Wars of Independence (Which individuals or groups of people? Which countries?) • what the outcome was. HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT SCOTLAND 5 The Wars of Independence 1296–1357 Timeline: the Wars of Independence 1296 1297 1298 ar of Edward I defeats Edward I Wallace and Wallace at 1305 invades Moray defeat 1292 Edward I at Falkirk. Robert irst W Scotland, Wallace is captured the Battle of the Bruce is John Balliol defeats the near Glasgow, later Stirling Bridge made Guardian crowned Scots at executed The F of the Realm King of Berwick and the Scots Battle of Dunbar Independence 1296–1328 1306 and marches unopposed up Robert the Bruce murders to Elgin Sir John Comyn and is crowned King of Scots. He is defeated at Methven and flees into exile 1307 Edward I dies. Edward II becomes King of England. Robert I 1314 returns to 1312 Scotland 1318 Robert I defeats 1313 Robert I invades Robert I Edward II at northern England recaptures the Battle of John Balliol for the first time 1320 Berwick Bannockburn dies in France The Declaration of Arbroath 1327 Edward II is murdered. Edward III becomes King of England. Scots 1357 invade England again David II returns to Scotland in exchange for 1328 1347 a huge The Treaty of Edinburgh ransom Independence 1333–1357 between Scotland 1329 The Se David II invades and England Robert I dies. England and is David II becomes captured king. Robert Stewart 1332 1333 cond W 1341 is made Regent Edward Balliol Edward III David II returns is crowned recaptures ar of from France King of Scots Berwick.